Grease UK Tour, Theatre Royal Nottingham Review

Reviewed by Sandip

“Grease is the word, is the word that you heard, It’s got groove, it’s got meaning. Grease is the time, is the place, is the motion, Grease is the way we are feeling.” And boy were we feeling it!
I was incredibly lucky enough to receive 2 tickets to review Grease, the UK tour so without a doubt, I took my Mom with me who I know loves the film just as much as I do. We haven’t seen the theatre production before but were so excited. This tour was delayed due to restriction from the pandemic but this only increased the excitement levels of all the people that we saw outside of Nottingham’s Theatre Royal. We saw loads of groups of pink ladies in their baby pink shiny jackets. Other women had come in flouncy, 1950s net lined skirts. They look amazing!

We all know the 1978 film version of Grease really well with John Travolta as Danny Zuko and Olivia Newton John as Sandra Dee and how that film plays out. This stage production had Dan Partridge as Danny Zuko and Georgia Louise as Sandy. Her surname in this version, as it typical with the stage productions is Dumbroski. They were both fabulous singers who could really hit those notes, especially Georgia when she sang ‘hopelessly devoted’.

The rest of the crew were also there, Rizzo and Frenchy and Kenickie and the boys. Again, as is typical in the stage production, the boys gang were called The Burger Palace Boys as opposed to The T Birds as they are in the 1978 film version.

True to the original stage production and in line with the film, the show covers lots of topics that are not just synonymous with the late 1950s but are still relevant today. Peer pressure, teen pregnancy, gang fights, relationships, sex and teenage angst.

The set was minimal but it was very clear when you were at the girls slumber party, Rydell High dance off or on the mean, graffitied urban streets. There was even Kenickie’s grease lightening car. My Mom and I did wonder how they were going to dress up the battered old car that Kenickie brought to jazz up, and our answer came in the form of sparkly lights.

We’ll come back to Peter, who plays Teen Angel and Vince Fontaine, in a moment, as he very much complements the performance rather than dominates it.

As you would have guessed, the main story revolves around the complex love story between Danny and Sandy mingled in with the need to fit in with their respective Burger Palace Boys and Pink Ladies. However, the stage version, unlike the film version, showed more of the other individual characters and gave us an insight as to who they were. Rizzo and her relationship with boys and her pretty harsh attitude towards Sandy was very well scripted and played by Tendai Rinomhota.

Now we can’t talk about Grease without mentioning the songs! They were brilliant. The actors have brilliantly powerful voice that were crispy and clear. It was so impressive to listen to.

All the well known classic songs were sang and danced to. And speaking of the dancing, the routines was top notch but then they would be as they were and choreographed by none other than Arlene Phillips. In addition to the well known hits, there were a few that I didn’t recognise. Perhaps they were new to this stage version or a nod to the original I’m not sure. They included a comical song about ‘mooning’ to a powerful, heartfelt song called ‘Freddy my love’ which was sung by Inez Budd who played Marty.

For my Mom however, the star of the show was the actor who played the radio disc jockey Vince Fontaine and the heavenly Teen Angel who features in ‘beauty school drop out’. It was Peter Andre! Watching Peter during the scene where he judges the school dance off was like watching someone have the best time of their life. He really gave it his all. He was a pleasure to watch.

Me and my Mom thoroughly enjoyed the show, and judging by the singing and applause, so did the rest of the audience. It was definitely a night to remember.

Rating: 5/5

Tickets £19.50 to £49.50

For more information on venues and date please visit https://greasethemusicalontour.com/tour-tickets/